The tension between the UK and Iran has been escalating. Tensions grew further after the seizure of an Iranian oil tanker “Grace 1” by British officials in Gibraltar, accompanied by British Royal Marines. British Royal Marines in Gibraltar grid around an Iranian ship believed to have been carrying oil to Syria, which is, according to authorities is a violation of European Union sanctions on Syria.
An Iranian official told the BBC the seizure was “unnecessary and non-constructive escalation by the UK” and called for the tanker, Grace 1, to be released.
An Iranian official previously demanded that a British oil tanker should be seized if Grace 1 was not released.
On Wednesday, Iranian boats tried to impede a British oil tanker in the region, before being intercepted by a Royal Navy ship. Boats possibly belong to Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) surrounded the British Heritage tanker and tried to halt its motion as it was moving from the Gulf to the Strait of Hormuz.
HMS Montrose, a British frigate shadowing the BP-owned tanker, was forced to move between the three boats and the ship, a Ministry of Defense spokesman said.
He described the Iranians’ actions as “contrary to international law”.
Guns on HMS Montrose were objected on the Iranian boats as they were ordered to back off, US media reported. The boats were threatened by warning and no shots were fired.
The BBC has been told British Heritage was near the island of Abu Musa when it was approached by the Iranian boats. Despite Abu Musa is disputed territorial water but HMS Montrose remained in international waters throughout.
The navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps has denied claims that it tried to seize the tanker. IRGC’s navy said there had been no confrontation with any foreign vessels in the past 24 hours.
Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the UK made the claims “for creating tension”.
The Department for Transport advised to regularly provide security to UK ships in high-risk areas. The threat level is too high that British ships are advised not to enter Iranian waters.
